(Mark 2:1-12 ESV)
Jesus was preaching to them.
Some men came with a paralytic, found no room, so went up to the roof and cut a hole in it. Here is a good site that talks about the type of homes they had and why they could cut a hole in it. Here's another that talks about the type of buildings Jesus would have known. They then lowered the man so he was in front of Jesus.
Jesus, seeing the man, knowing their faith said to the paralytic "your sin are forgiven". I have to admit, the first time I heard this story and thought about it (as opposed to when I was a child and was simply amazed that Jesus could heal a man like that). I wondered WHY? Why would Jesus say your sins are forgiven rather than just healing him?
Wouldn't his paralysis be the more obvious need?
Now when I read this I think... Jesus knew the real need (forgiveness for sin) was more important than the obvious need (physical healing).
Jesus took the opportunity to do some educating as well.
He showed he had indeed the power to forgive sin when he healed the man of his paralysis.
He did this because people questioned his ability to heal sin. They said "why does this man speak like that? He is blaspheming! Who can forgive sins but God alone?". People knew God forgave sin so for Jesus to say it meant he was elevating himself to the position of God and good Jewish people wouldn't handle that well.
So Jesus confronted them. “Why do you question these things in your hearts? [9] Which is easier, to say to the paralytic, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Rise, take up your bed and walk’?
Then went on to explain : But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins”. He then said to the paralytic :"Rise, pick up your bed, and go home.”
The paralytic did just that, picking up his bedroll as he left. People watched him leave, filled with amazement and glorifying God, busily saying "we never saw anything like this!"
Can you imagine being there and seeing that? Wouldn't it totally blow your mind? To question Jesus on his ability to forgive sin and then see the proof of it staring you in the face? Must have stunned the questioners and made them wonder who Jesus really was. I wonder if it startled them enough for them to start believing in Jesus, in helping them understand who he truly was? OR if it just left them with more questions.
I know the passage says the people glorified God...I just wonder what the questioners did after it was all over.
I have to admit, if I were there I probably would have done the same thing. Wondering how Jesus could say "your sins are forgiven".
I would have been shocked to the core if he had confronted me on my private thoughts as well. Because it doesn't say the scribes were talking to each other, more that they were muttering in their hearts. "how can he do this, he's acting like God. Blasphemer!!" Jesus knew their hearts. He immediately addressed it.
Think about that for a moment.
We don't have to speak it for Jesus to know it.
He knows it.
He addresses our sin.
He challenges us to change.
What does he challenge you in today?